Dilator



Aug. 23, 1932. w, J KIRK 1,873,427

DILATQR Filed Dec. 15, 1928 VENTOR Patented Aug. 23, 1932 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM J. .KIRK, F WELLSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA Application filed December 15, 1928. Serial No. 326,360.

My invention refers to improvements in rectal applicatorsv or dilators, and to the means for generating a sustained heat there ,7 for. In devices of the same general kind,

utilizing various heatingmediums, they are apt to bemore or less unsatisfactory due to either too little or too great heat or to a limited time of heat continuance, and other known objections.

Thus, when an applicator or dilator is filled with hot liquid, incapable of increase and therefore entirely safe: against undue heating, the continued maintenance of heat is limited as to time, and with a tendency of the user to fill the applicator or dilator with; liquid of too high temperature, with resulting risk.

My invention has in view to improve the construction'of the dilator or applicator in 1ts mechanical form and adaptation to use, and

also to improve the means for generating heat within its body portion, together with various other features of utility and advantage, as shall be more fully hereinafter described.

The present application embodies improvements on the construction of a prior application by myself, Roy H. Brownlee and William H. Coburn, Serial No. 233.032, which has matured into a Patent No. 1,729,044, issued September 24:, 1929.

Referring to the drawing showing one preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectionalview through an applicator or dilator embodyingmy invention;

Fig. 2 is asimilar view of the measuring closing cap therefor in inverted liquid-con-' taining position;

' Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of one of the chemical-containing capsules or cartridges for use therewith; c

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing capacity-marking indicia;

Fig. .5 is a sectional detail view showing a modified construction of pressure release opening. V f z 1 T Referring to the drawing, the body portion of the dilator comprises a hollow shell pro-,

vi'ding the interior chamber 2, the terminal 8 and the outer enlarged end or head 4. The cavity or hollow interior of the dilator is normally closed by a removable plug or stopper 5 having threaded engagement, as in dicated at 6. The stopper 5 is hollow through its central portion for the purpose of providing a containing cavity for a suitable fluid, as water.

For the purpose of definitely and accurate 1y measuring the amount of water to be contained in such hollow interior, the inserted main cap portion 7 of the plug is provided with an adjustable hollow extension 8, threaded on the interior of the main'cap, as shown. 7

By such construction the depth of the cup may be lengthened or shortened suitably to provide for the exact content of water desired, by adjusting it, when removed, by turning the knurled edge 9 of extension 8.

Said edge may be'provided with one or more indicating marks by which the extension may be set to theexact measuring posi tion desired, with relation to a corresponding mark on the main closing cap.

As shown in Fig. 4 the exterior of the ad-- justab-le cup extension 8 may also be provided with one or more annular marks 13 adapted to register successively with the upper edge of the main cap for different amounts of water. If desired, the head portion' i of the dilator may be provided with a small vent opening 10 for escape of any excess vapor pressure. L

.As shown in Fig. 5, such vent opening may be in the form of a groove 14 cut through the inner threads of the main casin g, or the outer threads of the cap as preferred, allowing for limited'leakage therethrough. 9G

The active chemical reagent is prepared as a'capsule or cartridge 11, in any suitable shape, but preferably in the form of a generally cylindrical bag or rolled cartridge made of muslin or other suitable fabric or material, readily permeable by liquid and adapted to be freely inserted within the dilator and capable of easy removal after each operation. i

. 'As shown, the cartridge 11 tapers slightly from one end to the other, so that when inserted by its large end, it will practically fill the cross area of the lower portion of the interior converging space of the dilator, tapering outwardly, as indicated in Fig. 3 and in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this manner the water discharged from extension 8 will be distributed along the length of the cartridge. The ends of the cartridge 11 may be closed in any suitable manner, as by cotton plugs 12, and when thus inserted and a limited amount of water is poured over it, it will more freely and quickly impregnate the cartridge upwardly through the intervening. annular space within the dilator wall.

' For the purpose of generating the desired as water discharged from the hollow cap when used as a measuring device, I utilize a combination of magnesium (Mg), inpow-- dered form, approximately 15 parts, and cuprous oxide (Cu O), approximately 85 partsi These are thoroughly mixed together, and to such mixture is added a delinite'proportion of'coarsesand, or the like.

. The purposeof the sand addition is to pro- 'vide a supporting and separating body for the chemicals, making them readily 'pervious or permeable to water, or other liquid, and at the same'time to give a greater bulk to th mixture.

A further advantage in the sand admixture is that the temperature rise, when the chemicals are exposed to water, is effectively regulated. Suitable proportions and amounts of the chemicals and sand respectively for use with water are in about the following proportions Total weight of pow dered magnesium and cuprous oxide 5 grams Total weight of coarse sand 5 grams 7 Total water used 2 cubic centimeters In utilizing the invention, the capsule or cartridge 11, containing the chemicals and sand thoroughly mixed together, is first inserted in the interior cavity 2. Thereafter, the measured amount of water-in shell 7 and within its extension 8, as adjusted for the correct amount, is deposited within the in terior and the plug is'tightly closed, as in Fig. 1.

The chemical re-action which almost'immediately commences with resulting rise in temperature of the applicator or dilator up to approximately 115 F, more or less, is as follows: 3

' As is well known, magnesium (Mg) re-acts with water in accordance with the equation:

I If the water is in the form of steam the re-action takes place very rapidly; if in boiling water fairly rapidly, while with cold water the re-action is less rapid.

If however, a material capable of absorbing the nascent hydrogen as rapidly as it is formed is intimately mixed with the magnesium, the reaction even with cold water is so accelerated that the heat of the re-action raises the temperature of the mixture until in a proper mixture it rises to the boiling point, i. e. the point where Water is 100 C. or higher with a smaller amount of water.

Such a material capable of absorbing the nascent hydrogen is cuprous oxide, Cu O.

When nascent hydrogen comes in contact with cuprous oxide a reaction occurs represented by the following, equation:

Lead oxide acts in a similar manner to cuprous oxide but not as efliciently as C11 0.

In place of the sand, I may use an equalamount of fullers earth or other suitable material as a diluent or holding bodyfor the chemicals with the same supporting, separating, and absorbent efi'ect.

Likewise the proportions of the chemicals may be varied withinreasonable limits, with. a proportional change in the rate of absorption of nascent hydrogen, when the Water is deposited within thedilator and the cartridge 11 is immersed.

Thus, the proportions of Mg may vary from. five totwenty parts and of C11 0 from ninety-five to eighty parts, in a whole of one hundred parts, with corresponding variation in the rate or absorption, as desired.

I- have found that good results may be secured by maintaining the proportions between the chemicals as a whole and the sup-- porting body of sand or fullers earth, or their equivalent, at approximately equal parts for best results.

- The heat generated within the dilator may thus be quite accurately regulated so as not to exceed a definite maximum.

The heat will also be maintained with very gradual diminution for a considerable time, amply long for one application, after which the exhausted cartridge may be emptied from the casing.

The dilator itselfand its cap may be made of any suitable substance or material, as hard rubber, metal, etc., and in suitably convenient size, design or proportions within the usual limits of such articles, or permissible variations to suit requirements or use.

hat I claim is:

1. A closing plug for a hollow tubular body having an outer closed end and an externally and internally threaded middle inward extension, and an extensible open ended tubular section having threaded engagement therewith and provided with a series of spaced-apart continuously annular measurement limiting: marks thereon.

2. In combination with a hollow inwardly tapered tubular body, a cartridge for reaction with water within said body consist ing of a holding shell of wrapped permeable material in outwardly tapered formation filled with powdered magnesium and cuprous oxide and sand, inserted by its large diameter end within the interior tapered terminal of the hollow body, said body being provided with a removable closing stopper having an outer closed end and a hollow inner extension provided with an adjustable open ended tubular section for varying its holding capacity in registering relation 'to the outer end of the cartridge.

3. In combination with a hollow inwardly tapered tubular body, a cartridge for reaction with water within said body consisting of a holding shell ofwrapped permeable material in outwardly tapered formation filled with powdered magnesium and cuprous oxide and sand, and having endmost closing plugs of permeable material, inserted by its large diameter end within the interior tapered terminal of the hollow body, said body being provided with a removable closing stopper having an outer closed end and a hollow inner extension provided with an adjustable open ended tubular section for varying its holding capacity in registering relation to the outer end of the cartridge.

4. A dilator consisting of a continuous tubular shaped hollow body having a permeable cartridge therein and provided with a removable closing stopper having an outer closed end and a hollow innerextension provided with an adjustable open ended tubular section for varying its holding capacity in registering relation to the outer end of the cartridge.

5. A dilator consisting of a continuous tubular shaped hollow body provided with a removable closing stopper having an outer threaded connection with the end of the body and an inwardly extending fluid holding cup in threaded connection with the holding cup of the stopper, and an open ended inwardly extending adjustable shell therein.

6. A dilator consisting of a continuous tubular shaped hollow body provided with a removable closed end stopper threaded in the interior outer end of the hollow body, an exhaust port through the body, and having an inwardly extending fluid holding cup and s an adjustable open'ended tubular extension threaded therein. I

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature.

WILLIAM J. KIRK. 

